A New Way to Deal With the Holiday Blues: Text With a Therapist

Ready to see all your family and friends this holiday season? Yeah, well. It makes sense if you're not—being in close quarters with everyone can occasionally be, shall we say, challenging. So here's something neat that can put a bit of relief at your fingertips...no matter where you are. Talkspace is a super-cool app that connects you with a licensed therapist—privately—so that you can text about anything that might be worrying you. No appointment or health insurance necessary; you just download the app and create a "room" in which you and your legit therapist (who you pick, based on your needs and whose specialties make you feel most comfortable) can chat when you need to talk. The app itself is free, with plans starting at $19 to $25 week. According to cofounder Oren Frank, studies have shown that writing to someone about your feelings can be as effective as an actual face-to-face meeting (which can be hard to make time for in your inevitably busy week). The company has previously set up pop-up therapy booths—3-D versions of the app itself, complete with comfy couches and clear domes—with plans to set up more of them in 2015. EDIT: Talkspace has a

Ready to see all your family and friends this holiday season? Yeah, well. It makes sense if you're not—being in close quarters with everyone can occasionally be, shall we say, challenging.

So here's something neat that can put a bit of relief at your fingertips...no matter where you are.

Talkspace is a super-cool app that connects you with a licensed therapist—privately—so that you can text about anything that might be worrying you. No appointment or health insurance necessary; you just download the app and create a "room" in which you and your legit therapist (who you pick, based on your needs and whose specialties make you feel most comfortable) can chat when you need to talk.

The app itself is free, with plans starting at $19 to $25 week. According to cofounder Oren Frank, studies have shown that writing to someone about your feelings can be as effective as an actual face-to-face meeting (which can be hard to make time for in your inevitably busy week).

The company has previously set up pop-up therapy booths—3-D versions of the app itself, complete with comfy couches and clear domes—with plans to set up more of them in 2015.

EDIT: Talkspace has a discount code for Glamour readers—$30 off!—glamour30.